Human Rights and Democracy - Official Documents

Throughout 2010 al-Shabaab imposed reporting restrictions on media houses and
seized broadcasting equipment on a number of occasions.
The press climate in Puntland worsened in 2010, particularly in the latter part of the
year. Journalists faced restrictions in reporting the continued conflict in the disputed
areas of Sool and Sanaag. A Puntland journalist was imprisoned for six months
without trial for interviewing rebel forces. The EU lobbied the Puntland government
on this issue and the UK called both publicly and privately for greater press freedoms
in the region.
The Transitional Federal Government lacks the power and capacity to tackle
freedom of expression and media freedoms effectively. However, it has made some
advances. In May, with support from the international community, the Transitional
Federal Government facilitated the opening of a media safe house. This was a
positive first step.
Somaliland enjoys greater media freedom than other regions in Somalia, though in
the run-up to the 2010 elections reports indicated that a number of journalists had
been arrested for short periods for political purposes. A media monitoring group was
formed to cover the election period and we raised the issue of press freedom with
the Somaliland government.
Women’s rights
Somalia is not party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women. Women continued to be forced into marriage or sold
to settle disputes. Female genital mutilation is widespread in Somalia. It is
estimated that as many as 97% of women have been subjected to some form of it,
typically during childhood. In areas under al-Shabaab’s control, women face
extremely severe restrictions on their freedom. For example, women are not
permitted to work or to leave the house without an abaya. Violence against women,
including rape, continues to be widespread. Women also continue to be underrepresented
politically.
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